Shark attacks in Brazil alarm experts

Reuters News Service

Published 5:30 am, Monday, May 24, 2004

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Two people suffered serious injuries in shark attacks off Atlantic coast beaches of northeastern Brazil over the weekend and scientists said today the number of attacks was alarmingly high in the region.

A 17-year-old lost his left hand, foot and part of a leg after a shark attacked him Sunday while he was swimming in the ocean next to the town of Jaboatao de Guararapes in Pernambuco state, famous for its coral reefs and beaches.

On Saturday, a shark in the same region bit a 24-year-old woman who suffered injuries to her hips and thighs. Both bathers were attacked in shallow waters, which was quite unusual as previously sharks mainly targeted surfers much farther away from the shore. One person died in March when they were mauled by a shark.

Hazin said sharks started to regularly attack people in Pernambuco after the opening of Suape port in the late 1980s, which affected the habitat of bull sharks that used to breed there. "Before, we had practically no such cases."

But he noted the 1994 record came when Pernambuco's coastal region had unusually heavy rains, a situation seen again this year. "We think there might be a link there," he said.

The university said 14 people have died since 1990 in some 45-50 shark attacks. Bull sharks range in size from just over 3.3 feet to over 10 feet .

"With the port working and growing we cannot expect the problem to be resolved. Without a hint of doubt, shark attacks affect tourism in the state quite heavily," Hazin said.

According to the International Shark Attack File, there were 55 unprovoked attacks worldwide last year, down from 63 reported in 2002. Four people were killed, compared to three in 2002. The bulk of attacks -- 41 -- were in U.S. waters.